BRIDGEWATER — When a 60-year-old Bridgewater resident was caught urinating on the township’s brand new municipal complex last month not only did he catch the eye of the police department, located a stone’s throw away, but his actions also drew the attention of local legislators.

The man’s arrest touched off a debate on where Bridgewater residents should and should not be allowed to relieve themselves.

Bridgewater currently has no ordinance on the books making public urination illegal and at the police department’s request, the township council on Monday is expected to decide whether to enact a law that would make the offense punishable by up to a $500 fine and up to 90 days in prison.

“Right now we don’t have anything specific for this,” said Township Administrator Jim Naples “From my understanding, in certain cases they would have trouble winning in court the way the laws are set up now.”

The issue came to light on June 10, when a man pulled his pick-up truck up to the municipal complex shortly before 8 p.m. in search of a bathroom. Police Lt. Al Nicaretta said the doors to the complex were locked, and he walked down the side of a staircase and relieved himself on the side of the building all while being monitored by a police dispatcher who was watching security cameras on the opposite end of the building.

The man, who police said had been drinking, was trailed back to his home where he was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated and disorderly conduct.

But police recommended the ordinance because had they not been able to charge him with drunk driving, the case would have been difficult to pursue.

The Bridgewater Council is expected to vote on the ordinance Monday, but Council President Matthew Moench isn’t sure it is necessary.

“It just seems like a knee-jerk reaction to me,” he said. “It’s not like we have a large problem here, this is Bridgewater. Not that I’m suggesting that we encourage people to do this sort of thing, but if someone has three acres of woods and for whatever reason they relieve themselves on their own property, I’m not so sure that warrants their arrest.”

Naples and Mayor Patricia Flannery, disagree.

“I see it as giving the police the ability to enforce something that’s a serious infraction against the public health of the township,” Naples said.

The council is expected to vote on the ordinance at 7 p.m. at the Municipal Complex on Commons Way.